ABOUT 60,000 motor enthusiasts are expected to flock to RAF Woodvale for this weekend’s International Rally.

The 37th annual show will pack the airstrip near Formby with an iconic Huey helicopter, a model B52 bomber with a 25ft wingspan, and 1,500 classic and vintage cars.

A weekend of family activities will also include the Crazy Bears stage show, remote control cars and boats, a Ringo Starr tribute act and a steam locomotive.

Gordon Jackson, a spokesman for the rally, said: “We’re hoping for 60,000 through the gates. That’s the population of Southport here over the weekend.”

Mr Jackson, who is 65 and from nearby Ainsdale, added: “Standing in the airfield now I can’t see any of the trees because of all the camper vans and tents belonging to the exhibitors.”

The Vietnam era Huey will arrive at the airfield this evening and will be available to view tomorrow.

A Rolls Royce Merlin engine from a Bristol Beaufighter – the engines also powered Battle of Britain Spitfires and Lancaster bombers – will be fired up by Peter Grieve and Robin Byers, the engineers who lovingly restored it.

Organisers expect more than 1,000 vintage and thoroughbred cars and 500 military and classic vehicles. Liverpool Community College will run a vintage car restoration workshop.

Money raised by the rally will go to the 1st Southport Scouts, the Liverpool and District Model Aircraft Society and charities.

The usual camping facilities have been scrapped for health and safety reasons. Organisers say alcohol-fuelled trouble last year made the area too difficult to police.

Family tickets for two adults and two children cost £27, single adult tickets £14, pensioners £10 and children £5.

The rally opens each day at 9am and closes at 5pm.